Important Notice

The information on this page is for Finals Weekend 2021. Information regarding the postponed Final Exercises for the Class of 2020 is available here. Information regarding UVA's response to COVID-19 is available here.

What Happens During Final Exercises?

Each May for Final Exercises, the graduating class, made up of undergraduate and graduate students alike, lines up around the Rotunda for the unforgettable procession down the Lawn. Tens of thousands of parents, guests and faculty members watch as the students make their way down the Lawn. The graduates sit facing away from the Rotunda, toward Old Cabell Hall, to symbolize their entrance into the world beyond the University, taking with them all of their experiences and the knowledge gained during their time on Grounds. Final Exercises begins at 10 a.m. with the procession down the Lawn. The ceremony lasts for approximately two hours.

After Final Exercises, schools and departments hold graduation ceremonies at various locations around Grounds. These "School and Department Graduation Ceremonies" are where graduates are recognized on an individual basis.